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Legal Help Desk

The Agony Uncle column is helmed by our seasoned legal consultants with deep expertise in corporate law and compliance, offering practical solutions to complex business legal issues.

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Articles by Legal Help Desk

Legal Help Desk

Non-Compete Clause: How to Protect Yourself and be Fair to the Other

Question:  “Our clients often ask for non-compete clauses in agreements. How do we ensure they’re enforceable under UAE law without being overly restrictive for us? I don’t want to sign something that feels like a lifetime sentence!”  Answer:  Ah, the dreaded non-compete clause—a classic tug-of-war between “You can’t steal my clients!” and “But I still […]

5 Oct 2024 · 4 minRead →
Legal Help Desk

Partnership Agreements: Avoid Loopholes, Ensure No One Fails

Question:  “We’re about to sign a partnership agreement with another company. How do we ensure that roles, responsibilities, and profit-sharing are fair and clearly defined to avoid disputes later?”  Answer:  Ah, partnerships are the cornerstone of great business ventures. However, when poorly managed, they can cause sleepless nights. A partnership agreement is like the blueprint […]

28 Sep 2024 · 3 minRead →
Legal Help Desk

The Hazards of Using Standard Templates for Contracts

Question:  “We’ve been using standard templates for our contracts—just tweaking them a little for each deal. But I keep hearing horror stories about businesses getting blindsided by hidden liabilities buried in these ‘boilerplate’ clauses. Are we taking a huge risk by relying on these templates? Should we be doing more to protect ourselves?”  Answer:  You […]

21 Sep 2024 · 3 minRead →
Legal Help Desk

Force Majeure Clause in Contracts: Being Prepared for the Unexpected

Question: “The pandemic taught us some tough lessons. We thought our contracts covered unpredictable events, but when push came to shove, those ‘force majeure’ clauses didn’t really protect us. I’m worried we’re still not prepared for the next big disruption. How can we make sure our contracts actually work in extreme situations?”  Answer: Ah, force […]

14 Sep 2024 · 4 minRead →
Legal Help Desk

Jurisdiction Clause: Safeguarding Interests in International Contracts

Question: “We work with clients from all over the world, and when we sign contracts, there’s always this tug-of-war about whose laws apply. I’m worried that if we miss something, we’ll end up in a foreign court with unfamiliar laws. How can we ensure UAE laws protect us? And what happens if the contract doesn’t […]

7 Sep 2024 · 3 minRead →